Here's where the disconnect is...because the above two posts are not entirely correct.

Those that shouldn't have been able to get a loan before, then couldn't at all. Those that were iffy, were simply denied. Those that were financially stable and didn't show risk, were able to get them. That's really how is should be most of the time in terms of home buying. Far too many poeple were able to get financing before at levels they weren't going to be able to afford. The default rate in OK was at the lowest in the U.S. Did we have some, yes. Was it at a level that warranted saying it impact all development? no.

The impact it did have here, was fall-out from the nation-wide trend. By that I mean that coporations based elsewhere that might have had plansto expand here, didn't because they lacked sufficient resources from their home-base to do it. The larger banks weren't able to make the larger loans, so they had to put things on hold.....ie a chain. In town, the local banks didn't neccessarily have that issue. There are plenty of them here that do not rely on the larger banks for a lifeline, they are instead used as a place to offload debts....ie resell a mortgage so they dont have to service it. Place like most of the local credit unions, Fidelities, Republic, etc. had sufficient backing to continue to make SMART loans. Carnegie != smart loan

I'm sorry, but this is a very elementary level understanding of real estate finance, and both urbanized and adaniel are far more credible than your jejune typo-laden rants.

bomber, it's clear you don't like this project.

Keep in mind, this is a total of NINETEEN apartments out of more than 3,500 multi-family units either already built or proposed for downtown.



I'll be happy just to see this building come back to life and I strongly suspect there will be a second pass at improving it down the line.

And here's the nail in the coffin.....and guess what, the fully financed project not needing extra crazy sources gets done while the crap project with lack of funding all around, still craoking.

The Metropolitan (http://newsok.com/the-metropolitan-will-be-largest-single-housing-project-in-downtown-okc/article/3863714)
Uhh...the Metropolitan is an APARTMENT project. The discussion (to this point) has been about getting financing for condo projects. In 2008 it became next to impossible, and remains very difficult. Your argument is all over the map, and I'm sorry but very little of ti makes sense.

Urban development is radically different from suburban development.

And financing challenges for this project radically different than for the Metropolitan.

Here's where the disconnect is...because the above two posts are not entirely correct.

Those that shouldn't have been able to get a loan before, then couldn't at all. Those that were iffy, were simply denied. Those that were financially stable and didn't show risk, were able to get them. That's really how is should be most of the time in terms of home buying. Far too many poeple were able to get financing before at levels they weren't going to be able to afford. The default rate in OK was at the lowest in the U.S. Did we have some, yes. Was it at a level that warranted saying it impact all development? no.

The impact it did have here, was fall-out from the nation-wide trend. By that I mean that coporations based elsewhere that might have had plansto expand here, didn't because they lacked sufficient resources from their home-base to do it. The larger banks weren't able to make the larger loans, so they had to put things on hold.....ie a chain. In town, the local banks didn't neccessarily have that issue. There are plenty of them here that do not rely on the larger banks for a lifeline, they are instead used as a place to offload debts....ie resell a mortgage so they dont have to service it. Place like most of the local credit unions, Fidelities, Republic, etc. had sufficient backing to continue to make SMART loans. Carnegie != smart loan

The financial crisis was not just the result of a bunch of risky home loans to unworthy borrowers. It was also the repackaging of these loan portfollios as investments that undermined the entire system, and having no backing from AIG, designed to provide insurance for these loans / investments, because the scope of it was well beyond AIG's capacity. The banks always seem to get off scot free in this discussion for some reason.

Hey, if the project looked anything like what it did in the beginning, i'd still be all for it. But the way it stands today, it's crap.

Feel free to put your own opinions out there...that's what a forum is for. But Pete/Spartan, just because you don't agree with me, also doesn't make you correct either. I'm always willing to put in here that what I post is my opinion (i also try to back it up with examples/data). I don't typically see that done by others.

None of us here are experts....and neither of you are financial experts either so please don't portray yourself as one just because you disagree with someone else's view. If we were experts, i'm sure we wouldn't be on this forum.

I still say this thing is dead. I've been proven right at every turn. I'm extremely dissaopinted in every aspect of how this project has been handled and have zero faith that it will come through as designed. I'd honestly rather it sold to a new developer. Come back in 6 months and we'll see if anything at all has changed. I'm betting that it won't.

And the comment was made that this is just 19 units. That is exactlly why i think it will fail. When larger developments come in that offer a much better option (you know, windows and all), a smaller unproven and problematic development ends up getting crushed. This place is banking that its location will make up for it. But if anything, we're seeing the Deep-Deuce type developments on the east side of Bricktown doing MUCH better and moving more quickly with better financial footing. If they manage to break ground, they do very well. That short drive across downtown is proving to be acceptable to downtown residents. And as long as you don't consider OKC definitions of walking distance, it's still walkable. Of course here we drive from one end of the stripmall to the other.

I have read enough of this nonsense. You speak to things as if they are FACTS. When they are nothing more than your ignorant opinions. The second you posted 10% down payment rids a loan of PMI any credibility you may have had went out the window. And yeah the Metropolitan is the final nail in the coffin. Wait, WHAT? Please. STOP.

I am not interested in engaging a conversation with somebody who obviously has no experience in development. Rather, since you are so supremely confident in your belief, how about a wager? This project WILL be finished and 100% leased within 24 months. I will match anything up to 10K in a escrow account. You win, you keep it. I win, I will donate it to any charity of your choice.

To Pete and everybody else - Thanks for giving Judy the recognition she deserves for spending 6 years on a project that many of us would have abandoned after running into the countless roadblocks. While it may not be completed exactly as we all have hoped, it will be a great addition for downtown living options.







Hey, if the project looked anything like what it did in the beginning, i'd still be all for it. But the way it stands today, it's crap.

Feel free to put your own opinions out there...that's what a forum is for. But Pete/Spartan, just because you don't agree with me, also doesn't make you correct either. I'm always willing to put in here that what I post is my opinion (i also try to back it up with examples/data). I don't typically see that done by others.

None of us here are experts....and neither of you are financial experts either so please don't portray yourself as one just because you disagree with someone else's view. If we were experts, i'm sure we wouldn't be on this forum.

I still say this thing is dead. I've been proven right at every turn. I'm extremely dissaopinted in every aspect of how this project has been handled and have zero faith that it will come through as designed. I'd honestly rather it sold to a new developer. Come back in 6 months and we'll see if anything at all has changed. I'm betting that it won't.

And the comment was made that this is just 19 units. That is exactlly why i think it will fail. When larger developments come in that offer a much better option (you know, windows and all), a smaller unproven and problematic development ends up getting crushed. This place is banking that its location will make up for it. But if anything, we're seeing the Deep-Deuce type developments on the east side of Bricktown doing MUCH better and moving more quickly with better financial footing. If they manage to break ground, they do very well. That short drive across downtown is proving to be acceptable to downtown residents. And as long as you don't consider OKC definitions of walking distance, it's still walkable. Of course here we drive from one end of the stripmall to the other.

Ah...the gap between knowledge and opinion is apparently bankable.

While this re-development is less than grand, it may be very solid and bring a little more life to a previously dead area. I think Judy should be appreciated for staying with this project and finding a way for it to work financially. If later on the demand in the area becomes so great then a new economic reality may well let her do a more impressive redo. For now, I like the idea of having the building occupied until that time.

While this re-development is less than grand, it may be very solid and bring a little more life to a previously dead area. I think Judy should be appreciated for staying with this project and finding a way for it to work financially. If later on the demand in the area becomes so great then a new economic reality may well let her do a more impressive redo. For now, I like the idea of having the building occupied until that time.

My sentiments exactly.

If we were experts, i'm sure we wouldn't be on this forum.


there are experts in all kinds of fields that are on this forum

I think the location will make up for quite a bit of the design "disappointments". Design is in the eye of the beholder, but that location is hard to beat. I think they will go quickly even though it isn't as nice as the original drawings.

there are experts in all kinds of fields that are on this forum

Lol. This.

I think that this building could actually look pretty cool if it just gets fixed up. Mid Century architecture is becoming desirable.

I think the location will make up for quite a bit of the design "disappointments". Design is in the eye of the beholder, but that location is hard to beat. I think they will go quickly even though it isn't as nice as the original drawings.

I still think will be overpriced. I don't doubt it'll rent, but I would surely not pay pay what they're asking, with no amenities, when I can live a half mile away with a pool, gym, free covered parking included for less.

I still think will be overpriced. I don't doubt it'll rent, but I would surely not pay pay what they're asking, with no amenities, when I can live a half mile away with a pool, gym, free covered parking included for less.

I wouldn't either, and that applies to many downtown rental properties. But someone will, if only for the location.

Hey digisats - would you like for me to break out my mortgage and prove you wrong on that one? I don't have to throw an opinion around on that one...that's a fact one....printed right there in plain site. You may not like it, but that's not really my problem.

We're getting too wrapped up in personal attacks here with everyone pointing the finger and saying "i know and you don't". Why don't we all practice a little restraint and get off our high horses of "im right and youre wrong" and get back to the building discussion.

Something I've been curious about, is what the heating/cooling costs are like with this building. Given its location, it doesn't get much sunlight so I would imagine it's pretty cheap to cool, but does the reverse hold true then that it's hard to keep warm?

I wouldn't either, and that applies to many downtown rental properties. But someone will, if only for the location.

Awesome location, and the designs and layouts are fine. If they were closer to $1.00-1.20/sq ft I'd consider it more worthwhile.

Hey digisats - would you like for me to break out my mortgage and prove you wrong on that one? I don't have to throw an opinion around on that one...that's a fact one....printed right there in plain site. You may not like it, but that's not really my problem.

We're getting too wrapped up in personal attacks here with everyone pointing the finger and saying "i know and you don't". Why don't we all practice a little restraint and get off our high horses of "im right and youre wrong" and get back to the building discussion.

Something I've been curious about, is what the heating/cooling costs are like with this building. Given its location, it doesn't get much sunlight so I would imagine it's pretty cheap to cool, but does the reverse hold true then that it's hard to keep warm?

Absolutely. YES please. But wait, it's a residential mortgage? This entire time you have been attacking Judy based on her "assumed" failures on a commercial loan. As if you do this for a living. Before the crash anybody with a 620 could walk into a bank and buy a home 0 down without PMI. It's essentially what caused the crash. However, this NEVER applied to commercial loans. A certain amount of units needed to be sold in order to complete the financing. The timing on this project is what killed it. Unless it was self financed as Bill Canfield went on to do with The Hill, nothing could have changed this. Had financing and construction began a year earlier, perhaps in line with the Centennial, it would have been another success story. You truly have no idea of the realities of commercial financing. Something I wish you would acknowledge.

And you are the only person that has been attacking anybody. Only after reading your 4th post bashing all her perceived broken promises and lies did I feel the need to respond. Regardless of anybody's experience or knowledge on any particular field, if financials don't make sense - they don't make sense.

All that being said, I personally don't like the exterior as well. Relatively speaking, where it looks today and the original drawings is a negligible amount of money. Losing the state and federal historical tax credits to do so, absolute deal killer. Whatever the stipulations are over time hopefully one day the changes can be made.

I have a prediction for this property.

Major renovations inside are being made on this place with this development that we are all criticizing. "It's ugly, I don't like it, blah blah". And it is ugly, and it doesn't have enough windows. That said, great location.

I predict that once complete it will limp along for a while, renting out enough to keep it moving but not quite being the success it could have been. This will continue for several years, until other downtown housing options have filled up. When there's no more room to build another LEVEL, or Edge, or things places like that within easy walking distance of downtown, the value of the Carnegie Center will go way up. All the expensive renovations will have already been done. All it needs is for the outside to look better. At that point someone will purchase it, put in a bunch of new windows, make it pretty, and then they'll be able to charge a lot more for rent.

I have a prediction for this property.

Major renovations inside are being made on this place with this development that we are all criticizing. "It's ugly, I don't like it, blah blah". And it is ugly, and it doesn't have enough windows. That said, great location.

I predict that once complete it will limp along for a while, renting out enough to keep it moving but not quite being the success it could have been. This will continue for several years, until other downtown housing options have filled up. When there's no more room to build another LEVEL, or Edge, or things places like that within easy walking distance of downtown, the value of the Carnegie Center will go way up. All the expensive renovations will have already been done. All it needs is for the outside to look better. At that point someone will purchase it, put in a bunch of new windows, make it pretty, and then they'll be able to charge a lot more for rent.

i bet it is full from the get go and stays that way

Digistats - i think you missed the point i was trying to make. Why dont' we take it offline to a personal message if you want to go into that in more detail. That way everyone else doesnt have to listen to it too...not being a poopface, just trying to take my own medicine on getting off track.

I still feel like if you go back and look at why the developer saught out certain resources (ie the historic funding) it falls in line with my point of the scramble to throw things together to make it work. Survival of the fittest development...and this has turned out not to be a survivor.


I can see Hoya and Boulder both making sense here. And both are possible, it just depends on which path the developer takes. Will they open with the minimum possible number of tenants and hope to fill in later? <-more risky but opens more quickly Or do they instead wait to open until they have more signed leases? <- less risky but takes longer to get moving. If they open now, the chances of it selling later are even higher once they have made their ROI. However, if they open that way, the chances of renovations coming are decreased as well. Remember if it's alread leased, there's no incentive to add the windows or facade changes. If you already have a tenant, you actually lose money by making the changes. Or you have to raise rent afterwards to make up for the cost, at which point you stand the chance of losing your current tenants and possibly having the space emtpy for some length of time. Leases put some stability into that to protect the tenant, but even leases come up for renewal and the new owner can simply change it.

Digisats WINS ! lol

Digistats - i think you missed the point i was trying to make. Why dont' we take it offline to a personal message if you want to go into that in more detail. That way everyone else doesnt have to listen to it too...not being a poopface, just trying to take my own medicine on getting off track.

I still feel like if you go back and look at why the developer saught out certain resources (ie the historic funding) it falls in line with my point of the scramble to throw things together to make it work. Survival of the fittest development...and this has turned out not to be a survivor.


I can see Hoya and Boulder both making sense here. And both are possible, it just depends on which path the developer takes. Will they open with the minimum possible number of tenants and hope to fill in later? <-more risky but opens more quickly Or do they instead wait to open until they have more signed leases? <- less risky but takes longer to get moving. If they open now, the chances of it selling later are even higher once they have made their ROI. However, if they open that way, the chances of renovations coming are decreased as well. Remember if it's alread leased, there's no incentive to add the windows or facade changes. If you already have a tenant, you actually lose money by making the changes. Or you have to raise rent afterwards to make up for the cost, at which point you stand the chance of losing your current tenants and possibly having the space emtpy for some length of time. Leases put some stability into that to protect the tenant, but even leases come up for renewal and the new owner can simply change it.


I completely see the point you are trying to make. Because Judy couldn't execute her original vision she failed. Instead of ditching her plans (Gary Cotton comes to mind) she spent 3 years obtaining historic tax credits. Against immeasurable odds. Changed plans, did what was necessary to adapt. Or as you call it "the scramble". But financing is now complete and is moving forward. The very definition of a survivor. This in it's own right is a resounding success to me. So we will see. Moving on.

I'm with BoulderSooner. 100% leased at full market rate. I believe there are many professionals who live in CBD who will call this a second home. The type of people who wouldn't want to be in Level or The Edge.

I think we all agree that it's a disappointment compared to the original but I'm not sure how anyone could argue that it would be better off not proceeding at all. At least the building will be redone and will become less of an eyesore, especially if it will involve restaurant or retail on the street level that will eliminate a major dead corner from downtown. I agree that we'll see another renovation of this down the road when the time limit for the tax credits expires. That location is way too valuable not to do something that will get more money out of it down the road. At least now it will be renovated and producing revenue until that point instead of sitting empty. If Judy's plan is to start with a minimal renovation using the historic credits, turn it into a revenue generating property, and doing the more aesthetic stuff down the road(or necessary like additional windows), I think that is a very good and responsible strategy.

Having said all that, I wish this was the corner building Sandridge knocked down instead of the savings and loans building. Too bad the library wasn't built on Kerr-mcgee's property and the other on that corner.
Hope this turns out well!

PhiAlpha: it is my understanding (someone please correct me if I am wrong), but by using the historic tax credits, she is unfortunately prohibited from changing the exterior (which I liked, it turned a sows ear into a silk purse). Does that prohibition expire after a certain point? If it doesn't I would prefer that the eyesore of a building be bulldozed and a new structure put in its place. As you said, it is way too valuable.

PhiAlpha: it is my understanding (someone please correct me if I am wrong), but by using the historic tax credits, she is unfortunately prohibited from changing the exterior (which I liked, it turned a sows ear into a silk purse). Does that prohibition expire after a certain point? If it doesn't I would prefer that the eyesore of a building be bulldozed and a new structure put in its place. As you said, it is way too valuable.

Yes, it expires after a certain period. Like 5 or 10 years, not sure though.

PhiAlpha: it is my understanding (someone please correct me if I am wrong), but by using the historic tax credits, she is unfortunately prohibited from changing the exterior (which I liked, it turned a sows ear into a silk purse). Does that prohibition expire after a certain point? If it doesn't I would prefer that the eyesore of a building be bulldozed and a new structure put in its place. As you said, it is way too valuable.


Yes, it expires after a certain period. Like 5 or 10 years, not sure though.

Interesting - in that case I bet it rents for whatever period until the expiration, then maybe the exterior is changed to the original plan and converted into condos. That is if it hasn't been sold to someone with a different plan. It would be nice if her original design can eventually be done.

https://sphotos-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/57953_10151525365697312_2027142278_n.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151525365397312.1073741834.53385692311&type=1

Wow... Now I get this photo...

Firefighters called to historic building twice for small fires | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2013/07/26/firefighters-called-to-historic-building-twice-for-small-fires/)

I hear the March Slave starting to play here....

Recent photo of the progress, courtesy Downtown Development twitter feed:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/carnegie91913.jpg

Looks like they are marketing the lower level and ground level as office (two, 12,000 SF floor plates, divisible from 500 - 12,000 SF, rents from $11.00 - $15.75/SF, full service lease) with the top floors being marketed as historic lofts. Does anyone know if there are plans to modify the exterior?

Does anyone know if there are plans to modify the exterior?

Post 444:


PhiAlpha: it is my understanding (someone please correct me if I am wrong), but by using the historic tax credits, she is unfortunately prohibited from changing the exterior (which I liked, it turned a sows ear into a silk purse). Does that prohibition expire after a certain point? If it doesn't I would prefer that the eyesore of a building be bulldozed and a new structure put in its place. As you said, it is way too valuable.

From 1/13/14:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6038d1389717076-carnegie-centre-carnegie11314a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6039d1389717077-carnegie-centre-carnegie11314b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6040d1389717078-carnegie-centre-carnegie11314c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6041d1389717080-carnegie-centre-carnegie11314d.jpg

Excellent. Good to see life being breathed into a building that incidentally has been vacant and unused on a prime corner for about 4-5 times as long as Stage Center.

Gz1-kvvSkgg

Here is a good update by Molly Fleming.


By Molly M. Fleming

The Journal Record



OKLAHOMA CITY – When the MAPS 3 funds were used to build the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, the Carnegie Library at 131 Dean A. McGee Ave. was vacated, leaving a large empty building in the core of downtown.



That’s when developer Judy Hatfield purchased the building with plans to make it a mixed-use space for residential condominiums and commercial tenants. However, the economy went south in 2008 and Hatfield said she knew it wasn’t the right time to develop the building. She continued to pay interest on the building and wait until it was the right time to renovate the space. That time has come, she said, as the 51,702-square-foot Carnegie Library is now being renovated and is expected to be complete by May with the new name Carnegie Centre.



The five-floor building will have commercial tenants in the basement and on the first floor, a parking garage for tenants on the second floor, and loft apartments on the third and fourth floors.



The commercial tenants looking at leasing space include an organic soup bar, a women’s clothing store, an art gallery with studio space, a men’s designer clothing store, a deli and a spa.



“They are all very entrepreneurial,” she said.



The library is the last remaining modern architecture building in Oklahoma City, so Hatfield was able to secure historic tax credits for the project on the federal and state level. She also received tax increment financing money for the renovation.



Titus Construction is handling the work on the building, and as project manager Robert Giordano put it, the company is making a name for itself in renovating historic buildings. The company was the construction team for the transformation of Calvary Baptist Church into the Dan Davis Law Firm.



Giordano said one of the biggest challenges of this building was adding a ramp to the second floor. The floor once housed hundreds of heavy books, making it perfect for a parking garage. He said the work on the building has drawn some undesired attention.



“People are interested and noticing the project, so if there’s anything out of the ordinary, you hear about it instantaneously,” he said.



After the completion of Project 180, however, people will notice the building for its attractive storefront windows and new life in the space, he said.



Bringing life to the third and fourth floors came with the obstacle of natural lighting. The third floor had windows only on the north and south, while the fourth floor had windows on the north, south and west. Therefore, the floors could not be laid out the same. The third and fourth floors have a total of 19 lofts, ranging in size from 723 square feet to 1,416 square feet. They range in leasing rate from $1,200 a month to $2,850 per month. Six of the lofts are already leased, including one where Hatfield will live.



All of the lofts feature high open ceilings and washer and dryer units. Crank-out windows that were part of the historic restoration of the building have been preserved.



Other aspects of the library have remained intact, including a fourth-floor stage that is now part of a residential unit. Also on the fourth floor, the original glass office entrance has been kept as part of its history. The entrance is just a fluted glass-and-brick wall, but Hatfield said it will soon have some painted art that will be reminiscent of the library.



Doors from the old library have been closed and blocked off, but were kept in the building as part of the historic requirements. Since the original doors have a honey-colored stain, the new doors will, as well.



“All our doorways are 8 feet tall so an NBA basketball player can walk through,” Hatfield said. “We have to take care of our NBA guys.”

Did she just say the MAPS 3 library?

Did she just say the MAPS 3 library?

That was an obvious error but is of no consequence to the jest of the article.

The commercial tenants looking at leasing space include an organic soup bar, a women’s clothing store, an art gallery with studio space, a men’s designer clothing store, a deli and a spa.

Sounds promising.

That area of downtown is soon going to be full of life with Project 180 wrapping up, Braniff being fully occupied, SandRidge Commons finished and the Parkside Building coming along.

And I'm sure the Dowell Center will finally move forward when the Parkside is finished.

Progress:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6761d1392839254-carnegie-centre-carnegie021914.jpg

I'm glad you started dating these. It makes referencing progress a bit easier.

I'm glad you started dating these. It makes referencing progress a bit easier.

Yeah, it looks like something from a bad istamatic camera but it makes it far easier to keep everything straight.

have you thought about making the ".com" smaller and adding the date over it and putting a divider line or something?

date
------
.com

From shawnw. Cutting out window openings in the north facade:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6866d1393681791-carnegie-centre-carnegie022814.jpg

That was an obvious error but is of no consequence to the jest of the article.

It casts light on the information that Journal Record knows. They used to be a lot better. Steve has dominated them.

It casts light on the information that Journal Record knows. They used to be a lot better. Steve has dominated them.

Spartan, I also prefer Steve's articles but it is still of no consequence to the meaning of the article.

Anyone have sneak pics of the lofts' interiors? Good that they've leased some already - just doesn't look all that attractive (to me anyway) from the outside. Hopefully the interiors are impressive.

The cut-out on the 2nd level of the north side was for parking ventilation.

Thanks to shawnw for the photo:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/carnegie031114.jpg

Just spoke to Judy Hatfield -- absolutely one of the nicest people anywhere -- and have tons of news about this development. Judy's 7-year odyssey to finish this project is almost complete.

First move-ins are set for May.

5 of the 19 apartments are pre-leased (including one for Judy, who is selling her house in Norman).


Almost all the commercial space at the ground level and lower level is reserved, save 1,300 square feet. Get a load of these tenants:

Organic soup bar
Small Deli
Women's clothing store
Men's clothing store
Cosmetic shop
Makeup & blow-dry salon
Norweigan spa
Art gallery and studio


Made arrangements to get inside and take some photos in April when things are a little more in order.

All these commercial tenants will make that area really come alive.

Wow!

just spoke to judy hatfield -- absolutely one of the nicest people anywhere -- and have tons of news about this development. Judy's 7-year odyssey to finish this project is almost complete.

First move-ins are set for may.

5 of the 19 apartments are pre-leased (including one for judy, who is selling her house in norman).


Almost all the commercial space at the ground level and lower level is reserved, save 1,300 square feet. Get a load of these tenants:

organic soup bar
small deli
women's clothing store
men's clothing store
cosmetic shop
makeup & blow-dry salon
norweigan spa
art gallery and studio


made arrangements to get inside and take some photos in april when things are a little more in order.

All these commercial tenants will make that area really come alive.
That is incredible!

Especially excited about the soup bar. I've said for years that I thought a soup place would be a great fit in the CBD.

With the whole bldg weighing in over 50,000 mol sf it is a lot larger than it looks. I wonder what the total balance of commercial sf is, but definitely more significant than I realized.

Steve interviewing Judy Hatfield via Dave Morris' Instagram

http://instagram.com/p/lsCP9jyeFG/

http://photos-g.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-ash/1516407_1388611751363574_842789446_n.jpg

Oklahoma City's Carnegie Centre on track for May opening | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-carnegie-centre-on-track-for-may-opening/article/3945394)

Also, McGee is very close to open. Many of the barriers were down tonight. They still have to clean and stripe, and the sidewalks aren't done on the north side of the street, but they could conceivably use temporary striping to open the street while working on the sidewalks...

Thanks to shawnw for the cool night shot:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7077d1395401002-carnegie-centre-carnegie032014.jpg

A good number of these leased out already! Including the largest unit at over $2800/month (parking and storage extra). Looks like this will be a success too.

P180 sidewalk and street work getting close to wrapping up in front of this project, which is set to open next month (photo credit to shawnw):

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7362d1397155364-carnegie-centre-carnegie040914.jpg